Saud Shakeel is on the verge of reclaiming his century mark in Test cricket, standing unbeaten on 91 off 192 balls as Pakistan surged to 390-6 at lunch on Day 2 in Rawalpindi. The left-hander’s composed anchor role, punctuated by nine boundaries, has kept the hosts in control against Sri Lanka’s aggressive four-pronged pace attack. Having added 109 runs to their overnight total of 281-5, Pakistan has effectively neutralized the early momentum Sri Lanka sought on a greenish surface that initially favored the bowlers.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
The session was defined by Shakeel’s resilience, who shared a crucial 96-run partnership with Ghazi Ghori before the latter fell short of his maiden Test half-century. Ghori, who reached 48, was dismissed by dabbing left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka to a spectacular two-handed low catch by Pasindu Sooriyabandara in the ninth over with the second new ball. This breakthrough allowed Sri Lanka to regroup, but Pakistan’s response was swift, with debutant Arafat Minhas displaying immediate aggression by striking four boundaries and a six off Lahiru Kumara to remain unbeaten on 27.
Sri Lanka’s bowling figures reflect the difficulty of the conditions, with Asitha Fernando claiming 2-87 and Madushanka taking 2-97. Captain Kusal Mendis opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that initially paid off but has since been countered by Pakistan’s steady accumulation. With Shakeel and Minhas still at the crease, Pakistan holds a commanding position, having converted early pressure into a dominant lead that sets the stage for a decisive afternoon session.
Source: Yahoo Sports
